Sachin Tendulkar deserves every bit of the Bharat Ratna, says Sourav Ganguly

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday said Sachin Tendulkar is India's 'Bharat Ratna' and deserves "every  bit" of the country's highest civilian award.

"Sachin is India's Bharat Ratna. I was happy to be there (at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai) when he played his last test match. This man has done it for 25 years. He deserves every bit of it (of the Bharat Ratna)," Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Replying to a query on the South African tour, he said, "I think they have picked a good team for the tour."

"India will have to bowl well to make an impact in the series and win it. Selectors have picked best bowling lineup. We have Zaheer's experience, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvaneswar Kumar, it is a good bowling team."

Asked to choose an impressive  bowler, he said "Shami has done exceptionally well. He has got pace. Pace does not come naturally and it is special to anyone."

Replying to another query, he said, "When I played for India, it was only cricket. Once you finish cricket you will have to start saying no. There are so many opportunities."

Asked about match-fixing in the game, he said, "I have never been involved in such a team. I look at good things. Every time when you look at wrong things in cricket, look at those who brought pride to the game. Indian cricket has too many good things."

To a query on who should bat at number four, the former captain said, "Dhoni should be thinking. I think it's going to be Virat Kohli at 4, Rohit Sharma at 5 and Dhoni needs to find someone for 6."

© PTI